EditorialTHEWILL Editorial: Government Must Take Seriously The Plight Of IDPs

THEWILL Editorial: Government Must Take Seriously The Plight Of IDPs

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, (THEWILL) – In Nigeria, the number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, has been on the rise following the activities of Boko Haram terrorists. This is despite government’s claim that the displaced persons are being gradually resettled in their original homes. Indications have emerged from local and international sources that the living conditions of persons at the camps are, to say the least, barbaric and inhuman.

Of great concern is the disturbing report that people, especially children, are dying daily of malnutrition and communicable diseases. It is worrisome that this is happening even when the federal and state governments have reportedly earmarked billions of naira to cater for their welfare.

According to data from the Displacement Tracking Index and that of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the number of IDPs is estimated to be over 2.2 million. These are scattered across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states. Others are located in Plateau, Nasarawa, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna states.

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Apart from these government-managed camps, there are still other emergency camps set up by individuals and organizations. Yet, thousand others have migrated to areas they considered safer in other parts of the country.

The deplorable conditions in these camps have been described as unbearable. Medical charity: Doctors without Borders, warned of “a catastrophic humanitarian emergency,” in Bama, Borno State, just as the United Nations recapped that over 50,000 children could starve to death this year alone, if nothing urgent is done to salvage the situation.

Between May and June alone, it was reported that 188 people died from diarrhoea and malnutrition, while over 1,200 graves near the camps have swallowed children killed by these rather preventable diseases. Nigeria cannot pretend that all is well. It is puzzling that people who escaped from war-torn zones are now living the most dehumanizing lives in their own country, while government officials, whose duty it is to care for them, mismanage the resources meant to cater for their needs.

Recent report by a Federal Government delegation to some of the camps summed up the challenge. Led by the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Maryam Uwais, it came with a damning verdict that the situation is, “an overwhelming situation for any government to handle.”

While the UN is “reporting high levels of severe malnutrition and desperate conditions” in recently liberated areas, it is pathetic that the Federal Government has not declared an emergency on the matter. The Borno State government, where the majority of these persons appear to be concentrated, dismissed the reports as exaggerated.

Against the backdrop of arguments that an average of eight children die every day in the camps, it is insensitive of any responsible government to treat the issues raised with levity. This calls for sober reflection and for those entrusted with the management of these camps to explain how the huge funds committed into making the IDPs live a comfortable life, have been spent.

It is however reassuring that President Buhari has met with government officials in charge of some of the affected camps. He has also ordered a rapid emergency team to find solutions to the identified problems.

While appreciating this step, THEWILL believes that this is not enough. Government should order a high-powered enquiry into how monies appropriated for the food and humanitarian needs of this people have been managed. We also urge government to provide these persons with psychological and socio-economic re-orientation to enable them live better lives.

THEWILL sees the condition of these IDPs as a reflection of the wide gap in government’s commitment to the welfare, security and rehabilitation of its citizens. It has become characteristic of government, that while its citizens live in abject poverty and squalor, its officials feed fat on the resources meant to provide basic amenities for the people.

It is even more appalling to note that there are security challenges within the camps. We recall several reported security breaches, including suicide bombings that have occurred, killing scores of people. It is thoughtless that this should happen in camps manned by security agents. For some of the displaced persons, it has created the twin problem of having to protect themselves.

THEWILL demands that the Federal Government rolls out an emergency rehabilitation plans for these unfortunate ones, including economic empowerment to enable them lead normal lives and forget the sorrow and misery unleashed on them by Boko Haram terrorism.

In the spirit of the current anti-corruption fight, for which the president has shown much commitment, we urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to beam its searchlight on the utilization of funds meant to cater for IDPs. Whosoever is found culpable; no matter his or her political affiliations should be prosecuted and jailed. That way, others with such heartless proclivity will be deterred.

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